City fires head of Animal Care and Control

Cherie Travis holds a cat up for adoption in a 2005 photo. (Carl Wagner, Chicago Tribune)

Ryan Haggerty and John ByrneTribune reporters

The executive director of Chicago's Animal Care and Control was fired Friday and replaced with one of the department's former deputy directors.

Cherie Travis confirmed in an interview today that she was fired Friday. She said the city did not explain why she was let go.

A statement from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office also did not explain why Travis was fired.

Travis has been accused of no wrongdoing. "We simply decided to go in another direction with the leadership" at Animal Care and Control, said Sarah Hamilton, a spokeswoman for Emanuel.

Travis will be replaced by Sandra Alfred, who previously served 11 years as deputy director at Animal Care and Control and has twice been the department's acting director.

In his statement, Emanuel described Alfred as "a champion for animal rights and advocate for animal care. She knows every facet of the Department of Animal Care and Control and is a natural choice to lead the department's efforts."

Emanuel also thanked Travis for her leadership and said she has been "a strong advocate for the safety and well-being of animals across Chicago."

Animal Care and Control impounds about 20,000 animals a year, including dogs, cats and reptiles, according to its website.